For many years, the Textile Auxiliaries Division at Zschimmer & Schwarz Mohsdorf has been working together with the Hof University of Applied Sciences. As part of the donation campaign on occasion of the 125th anniversary of Zschimmer & Schwarz, the university received a donation of 5,000 euros. This donation is meant to support the bachelor's degree programme “Innovative Textiles” as well as the master's degree programme “Sustainable Textiles” at the Münchberg campus. In addition to technical training, these programmes focus on intercultural exchange: many of the young professionals in these degree courses come from China, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Part of the money was used to organise an excursion for the students of the master's degree programme “Sustainable Textiles” to the wastewater treatment plant of the wastewater association Abwasserzweckverband Hof. “Here, they were able to see very clearly how the individual stages of wastewater treatment work,” explains Professor Dr Anett Matthäi from the Hof University of Applied Sciences. On the basis of the space and energy requirements of the wastewater treatment plant, the importance of process optimisation in textile finishing processes to save wastewater was demonstrated. Furthermore, the problem of disposing of the resulting sewage sludge was discussed. In addition, money was spent on the electronic library for the infrared spectroscope used in the practical training of students.

“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were unable to hold any classroom events and excursions for a long time,” says Professor Dr Michael Rauch, Programme Head of the master’s programme Sustainable Textiles at the Hof University of Applied Sciences. “Therefore, we are all the more pleased that we can offer our international students various events again, at least temporarily, and that they are supported by Zschimmer & Schwarz.”

On the occasion of the company’s 125-year anniversary in 2019, the shareholders of the Zschimmer & Schwarz Group started a special charitable programme: all employees around the world were asked to present local initiatives that the company could support with a donation.

The Hof University of Applied Sciences is one of 14 institutions and charitable projects across Europe currently supported by Zschimmer & Schwarz with a total sum of around 200,000 euros. “For more than 125 years, our company has represented a philosophy that always puts people first”, explains Monika Börner, shareholder of the Zschimmer & Schwarz Group. “Therefore, we try to give something valuable back to society and involve ourselves in projects that deliver direct and sustainable effects at our business locations.”